Lexus has put a few extra touches on its LS 500h model. The hybrid car now accelerates faster and is less prone to gear switching with the throttle only halfway down (according to a study, drivers push it like this 90% of the time).
The main goal was to optimize the behavior of the Multi Stage Hybrid System at lower speeds. The electric motor is now better capable of assisting the IC engine thanks to a wider operational voltage range of the battery. The car now gets 170 Nm (125 lb-ft) of extra torque when accelerating from 20 km/h (12 mph). Furthermore, it maintains the rev count of its 3.5-liter V6 at approximately 500 RPM under previous values while cruising under 100 km/h (62 mph).
he cumulative output still amounts to 359 PS (354 hp / 264 kW), and the car still needs 5.4 seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) with the drive on the rear axle. Having AWD actually adds one-tenth of a second to the sprint time.
The LS 500 spec armed with a twin-turbo V6 good for 421 PS (415 hp / 310 kW) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) is now less prone to misusing its Direct Shift 10-speed auto gearbox by shifting down when the drives accelerates, brakes, and accelerates again.
Elsewhere, both specs benefit from improved active noise cancelling.
The Lexus LS series received its range of updates last summer. It landed with BladeScan AHS adaptive headlights, new bumpers, gill-like air vents, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, and an exclusive Nishijin & Haku ornament on the door panels.